2020 NFL free agency: Jamie Collins becomes the fifth Patriots player to hire a new agent this offseason

The NFL offseason is not just the time for players to move between teams, but also between representatives. New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins did just that when he announced on Thursday via social media that he will be represented by DEC Management moving forward. The 30-year-old thus became the fifth and latest Patriot to change agencies since the team’s postseason came to an end in early January.

Collins joined defensive tackles Adam Butler and Danny Shelton as well as cornerback J.C. Jackson and offensive tackle Marcus Cannon in making such a move over the last few weeks. Players changing agents is not uncommon during the offseason, but those decisions can still have an impact on contract negotiations especially when it comes to pending free agents — of which the Patriots have a total of 19 to deal with this year.

Among this group are Collins and Shelton, who are both unrestricted free agents, as well as restricted free agent Adam Butler. While the Patriots’ approach to the three defenders will not change with another party being on the opposite side of the negotiating table, past contracts worked out between organization and agent cannot be relied on as guidelines moving forward. In a way, such a move therefore presents both parties with a clean sheet.

That being said, the Patriots have some experience working with two of the four new agencies involved with their players:

DT Adam Butler: Butler joined Young Money APAA Sports earlier this year, which makes him the seventh member of the team to be represented by the company founded by rapper Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter. The agency also has defensive backs Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty, Duron Harmon and Jonathan Jones, as well as wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and tight end Matt LaCosse under contract.

DT Danny Shelton: The former first-round draft pick was represented by The NOVO Agency when he re-signed on a one-year contract with the Patriots last offseason. Moving forward, however, he will be repped by Drew Rosenhaus — the veteran agent that also represents former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Rosenhaus last dealt with the Patriots in 2019, when his then-client Antonio Brown signed with the team.

CB J.C. Jackson: The former undrafted free agent also joined Rosenhaus this offseason, making him the second member of the team’s secondary to be represented by him. Safety Terrence Brooks, who signed a two-year deal with the Patriots last offseason, is also with his company.

LB Jamie Collins Sr: Collins’ search for a new agency did not last long as he announced joining DEC Management on Thursday. The 30-year-old is the only current member of the team to be repped by the agency.

OT Marcus Cannon: Cannon signed a deal with the Vanguard Sports Group and agents Joby Branion and Eugene Lee earlier this offseason — an indication that the soon-to-be 32-year-old plans to continue his football career. Cannon has two seasons left on the five-year, $32.5 million contract extension he signed with the Patriots back in 2016.